NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organisation, and the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) have announced that NYC will host IGLTA’s 2019 Annual Global Convention, an educational and networking event for the LGBT tourism industry. More than 600 participants are expected to attend the three-day convention in spring 2019; the year also marks the 50th anniversary of the June 1969 Stonewall Uprising, widely considered the catalyst of the modern LGBT rights movement.
Last week, US President Barack Obama designated 7.7 acres of Manhattan’s Greenwich Village – including the Stonewall Inn – the Stonewall National Monument, the newest addition to America’s National Park System and the first national monument to gay rights. In celebration of the anniversary, New York City will also be home to WorldPride 2019, an expanded two-month series of events and programmes alongside NYC Pride’s annual events.
“In 2019, New York City will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stonewall and IGLTA has chosen to share this celebration with the global LGBT travel industry. Our members will be able to attend a great conference and also experience New York City’s vibrant LGBT community,” said Juan Julia, board chait, IGLTA.
The announcement comes on the heels of NYC’s annual Pride celebration, which took place June 19-26.
“We are thrilled that in 2019, just months before the 50th anniversary of the historic events at Stonewall, NYC will be home to IGLTA’s Annual Global Convention. We look forward to showing IGLTA’s membership exactly what makes NYC the most vibrant and welcoming LGBT destination in the world,” commented Fred Dixon, president and CEO, NYC & Company.
